Melanoma

Kat Wetjen

Melanoma

Kat Wetjen

Melanocytes

Melanocytes are found in the epidermis. Melanocytes are responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its natural color. When the skin is exposed to the sun, melanocytes produce more pigment and start to darken or tan your skin.

What is Melanoma?

Melanoma is formed when cancerous cells form in the melanocytes.

Stage 0

The abnormal melanocytes are found in the epidermis. These cells become abnormal during mitosis because their DNA instructions are "different." The abnormal cells may become cancerous and spread into normal tissue.

Stage 1 (cells)

The cancerous melanocytes start to spread further into your skin and deeper into your dermis layer.

Stage 2 (Tissues)

The cancerous cells continue to spread farther down into your skin and start to effect tissues.

Stage 3 (Organs)

The cancer has spread to one or more lymph nodes. The cancer cells start to take over the immune cells because they attack the lymph vessels.

Stage 4 (Body System)

The tumor has spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs, liver, brain, bone or other soft tissue.